view from the living room with a yellow chair and white sofa into open concept kitchen with natural wood cabinets and black countertops

The Wabi Sabi House

A home addition, renovation and furnishings project for a 1940’s suburban ranch home in Orinda, California was more of a deductive process than one of adding on. The site's numerous and elegant oak trees became the focal point as walls were removed, windows were carved out and the boundaries between inside and outside dissolved.

Inspired by the owners passion for the Japanese art form of Ikebana, where nature and humanity are brought together, every shape, line and form of this space has intention and purpose.

“As it was being built, it felt like receiving a gift every day. I would walk out of my room and see something gone or built or transformed and I would think… aaaah, that is what Lara meant.”
– Mari, client

Press:

Sunset, 10.07
Simple and smart remodel

Home Style, 03.08
Inspired Non-Design

walkway leading to exterior front entrance at Wabi Sabi house by architect Lara Dutto

view from the front door looking inside the entry with gray river rocks and a water fountain bowl at the Wabi Sabi House

looking towards the front door from the kitchen at the Wabi Sabi house

view from ENTRY INTO open concept DINING room and KITCHEN

modern kitchen with wood cabinets black countertops stainless steel accents and a skylight

view from the living room towards a wall of windows with trees outside

looking from living room with vaulted ceiling to French doors that open to the courtyard

Japanese-inspired courtyard looking towards the Wabi Sabi house and French doors

water fountain made from metal pipe coming out of wall

bathroom with green wall tiles black floor tiles walk in shower and concrete sink

bedrooom with bed and black leather settee and shoji room divider